100-year-old mechanical clock tower to get $45k in repairs

PLAIN CITY, Ohio (AP) — A century-old Ohio clock tower is poised for repairs for the second time in its history.

The Columbus Dispatch reports (http://bit.ly/1TBIJpB ) a crane will move the Seth Thomas clock in the suburban Columbus village of Plain City Saturday morning.

The clock’s entire exterior will be stripped and repainted. Other repairs include fixing rotted wood, cable replacement and updating the clock’s only electrical components: Lights that illuminate the clock’s four faces.

Repairs are estimated at $45,000 and will be funded through private donations and a state grant. They’re scheduled to be completed in September.

Remaining money would be used for future maintenance.

Tammy Redmond, who owns the building that houses the clock tower, says loose change balances the all-mechanical clock’s weights. It must be regularly wound to keep the time accurate.